These Experimental Bamboo Buildings Carry a Heavy Load

Simon Velez, an architect known for his innovative work with bamboo, has built a trio of experimental bamboo structures at Domaine de Boisbuchet in France.

The buildings were constructed from guadua bamboo canes, which hail from his native Columbia, to better bear the structural loads. Boisbuchet founder Alexander von Vegesack explains, "While building his pavilions and guest houses at Boisbuchet, Vélez pioneered new ways of using giant bamboo from his native Columbia on an architectural scale."

In specific, Vegesack is referring the large size of Velez's projects, which require a very intelligent use of the material to function properly. Overall, Velez deviates from the "standard approach to contemporary architecture," managing to elevate the perception of a poor material and revealing its hidden potential.